Gregg Evans on Brian Little

A hard-as-nails defender who stood out for the three teams he played for - Shrewsbury Town, Sheffield Wednesday and Middlesbrough. Pearson was tough and gritty but also measured in his approach.

He was a true leader and his whole-hearted display for Wednesday in the 1991 League Cup Final helped the Owls lift the trophy. Pearson also captained ‘Boro to two promotions and three domestic cup finals.

NP 3/5

MANAGERIAL EXPERIENCE

Di Matteo

210 GAMES

Started at MK Dons before guiding Albion to promotion from the Championship in 2009/10. Won the Champions League and FA Cup with Chelsea in 2011/12 after filling in for the sacked Andre Villas-Boas.

After getting the full-time gig the following season he failed to get the Blues out of the Champions League group stage and was sacked soon after. Most recently had a disappointing spell at Schalke.

RDM 3/5

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Who would you rather have as Aston Villa's next boss?

0+ VOTES SO FAR

Pearson

404 GAMES

The 52-year-old occupied various caretaker manager and assistant roles before he really started to flourish as a boss with Leicester in 2008. Pearson guided the Foxes to the top of League One and back into the Championship.

He then spent a period at Hull before moving back to the KP Stadium and guiding his troops into the Premier League. A miraculous end-of-season turnaround kept Leicester in the top-flight at the first time of asking and he laid most of the foundations for this season’s epic title win.

NP 4/5

PROS & CONS

Di Matteo

Is a refreshing attack-minded manager who creates a happy working place. Has good contacts and has been there and done it in the Championship, Premier League and Europe. On the flip side, is he motivated to take this job and will he work hard enough to get Villa firing? Di Matteo also has little experience of making wholesale changes to a squad.

RDM 3/5

Roberto Di Matteo

Pearson

Has the experience of ripping up a team and building from scratch. Knows how to get the best out of under-performing players and is a proven winner in the Championship. Sometimes Pearson can be too evasive and difficult to deal with, though. He’s had a number of high-profile bust-ups and disagreements in the past.

NP 4/5

TRANSFER DEALINGS

Di Matteo

Signed Eden Hazard and Oscar for Chelsea and landed Peter Odemwingie and Youssouf Mulumbu for Albion, although former sporting director Dan Ashworth is likely to take credit for those arrivals.

RDM 3/5

Pearson

Jamie Vardy, Riyad Mahrez, Danny Drinwater, Wes Morgan, and Esteban Cambiasso all signed on his watch. He also wanted N'Golo Kante before he left. Say no more.

NP 5/5

REASON HE IS AVAILABLE

Di Matteo

His reputation has taken a slight hit since that incredible Champions League win. He left Schalke after winning just 14 of his 33 games in charge and has been out of work for almost a year now.

RDM 2/5

Nigel Pearson

Pearson

Sacked by Leicester after a collapse in his relationship with the club’s Thai owners. The dismissal of his son James, following the leak of a racist sex tape, was understood to be a pivotal factor.

NP 2/5

PERSONALITY

Di Matteo

Friendly, likeable and relaxed - sometimes too much. Knows how to get results without ranting and raving.

RDM 4/5

Pearson

Ruthless and hard-working. Sometimes abrasive and over-powering. Has been a leader all his football life.